“Sadie, let’s get inside. Uncle Troy is going to be here for a while.” Julian led them into the house.
“Okay.” Sadie turned and looked up at Gwen who was walking with a limp. “I’m Sadie.”
“I’m Gwen. It’s nice to meet you.” She crouched and grimaced.
“Do you have a boo boo too?” Sadie ran into the house yelling, “Terry, Gwen has a boo boo.”
Troy’s phone vibrated. Again it was a private caller. “What do you want?”
“Greece, we’re just getting started,” the voice said. “Gwenny has lots of secrets. I think you do too.”
“Who is this?”
The call ended.
Julian turned around. “Another?”
Troy nodded. “I’ll talk to you later.”
* * *
After dinner,Troy sent Gwen to bed, then he and Julian retired to the patio. “You look great. What’s happening with Holly and Sadie?” Troy sipped some water.
“Knock on wood, Holly’s fine. With her history, her OB is being overly cautious. That’s why the bedrest. All the scans are normal. She’s due Junetenth. Sadie’s heart is functioning well. We avoided the transplant; fingers crossed we will keep it that way.” Julian swallowed hard. “I owe you.”
“Huh?” Troy crunched his brows.
“For the kick in the ass,” Julian chuckled. “I have all this because of you.” He shook his head.
Troy had no recollection of what Julian was talking about.
“You look great. Virginia did wonders for you,” Julian sighed. “I’m damn glad to see you. What’s the plan?”He stroked his brow.
Giving Julian an easy nod, he said, “Tomorrow, Memorial Day service at the fort. Tim Holland was named my med team head. Tuesday after work, Sommerfeld and PT. Wednesday, urology. Thursday, colon. Surgery is tentatively scheduled for a week from Friday. The docs in Denver said recovery can take six to eight weeks. I can work the desk. My brain won’t be fogged.”
“You’ll work when the doctor says you can work.” Julian shook his head. “Okay, first thing Tuesday, I’ll introduce you around and show you your office. Christie, my secretary, will get you a list of vetted assistants for you and Gwen to interview. I saw your email about that.”
“Sounds good. Next.” Troy typed notes into his phone.
“We have a meeting with Blake, Caleb, Trask and Janice. This way we can divide up their workload and give a piece to Gwen.”
“I’ve been reading the daily reports. Trask is overloaded, and you’ve got rotating supervisory staff for the level ones. Gwen would be great picking up that slack as part of her job description, especially if I’m grounded in the building. And you, my friend, can relax; June tenth is fast approaching. I can take day to day for Eagle’s Talon and medical. That one is a home run. I also will take over the client interviews.”
“If you feel even a tiny bit overwhelmed, you raise your hand.” Julian rolled his bottom lip below his upper lip.
“Deal.”Troy’s lips turned up.
Julian turned serious. “The phone calls?”
Troy explained the two calls. “The voice is modulated. He called me Greece, said the dog bite was intended for Gwen’s throat. He said he was just getting started, that there were secrets, hers and mine.”
“I’m putting a trap on all your phones, and before we pull out tomorrow, we will brief Gwen.” His brows knitted.
* * *
Julian walkedTroy to his room. “Do you need anything?” Julian tipped his head.
“I’m okay.” Troy sat heavily on the foot of the bed.
